Barcelona announced the departure of Lionel Messi after being part of Barcelona after 21 years. Barcelona president Juan Laporta cited La Liga regulations and financial reasons that left the concerned parties with no other option but to part ways.
During the time, the magician impressed us all with his skills and performances, winning many accolades individually and for the team.
Here is how Messi’s past and present teammates reacted, as the news broke.
Gerard Pique
Nothing will ever be the same again. Not the Camp Nou, not the city of Barcelona, not ourselves. After more than 20 years at the Club, you will stop wearing the Barça shirt. The reality, sometimes, is very harsh.
We met in 2000, we were 13 years old and had a career ahead of us. What career! The mother who bore us! If we had designed it at that time, it was impossible to make it better. A fucking madness!
In my first season, after returning to FC Barcelona, we won the treble and you became the best player of all time. From Rosario to touching the sky of Rome. That’s where the legend began. What came next is history. And what a good time we have!
Now you are leaving, but I know that one day you will come back. There are pending things to do. Have fun, enjoy wherever you go and keep winning as only you know how to do. Here we will miss you. I love you Leo.
Gerard Pique
Riqui Puig
I have been able to live the dream of any child whose passion is soccer. Being able to share costumes and equipment with the best player in the world. Living, learning and competing with him is the best thing that has happened to me in the last two years. Thanks Leo.
Riqui Puig
We’ll miss you very much. Good luck.
Pedro
Thanks for so much Leo. For everything you have given to the club and the @fcbarcelona homegrown players, you have been an example to everyone. I feel lucky to have played by your side and shared so many good moments. I wish the best to you and your family. Good luck and success in your new stage.
@leomessi #GOAT
Pedro
Gerard Deulofeu
Que bonito placer compartir momentos en el mejor club del mundo @fcbarcelona y con el mejor jugador de la historia @leomessi . Mucha admiración y respeto por ti. Solo podemos agradecerte toda la maravilla que nos has dado y nos seguirás dando cada semana en el terreno de juego. #messi #10
GERARD DEULOFEU
Xavi
As a culé, partner and friend, I can only thank you for everything you have given us during these years. Whatever you do, I wish you the best. ???? ♥⚽️
#The best in history @leomessi #GOAT
Xavi
Ansu Fati
All the boys who come to the Masia dream of being able to play with you, I feel lucky to have fulfilled it.
I wanted to thank you these two years for your gestures of affection towards me and for everything I learned.@leomessi my family and I will always be eternally grateful, I wish you and yours all the best????❤️
Ansu Fati
Sergio Busquets
Still trying to assimilate everything and knowing how difficult it will be, I can only thank you for what you have done for the club and for those who have accompanied you in these years and specifically towards me. You arrived as a child and you are the best player in history, having made this club grow to the height that it deserves and making history individually and collectively. I can always say that I played and shared many moments with you, most of them very good and I was lucky to grow up and enjoy 13 seasons with you.
Sergio Busquets
Beyond all this I remain with the person and the friendship that we made, I will miss you a lot. I can only wish you and your family the best because you deserve it, you will be missed. @leomessi ???? ❤️
Carles Puyol
Thank you very much for everything #leo, we can never thank you for everything you have given us, I wish you the best. # viscaelbarça????❤️
Carles Puyol
Philippe Coutinho
@leomessi THANK YOU so much for everything.
Philippe Coutinho
A great honor to have met you and played by your side.
Very grateful for the way you treated me and my family during that time! I wish you every success in your future and may GOD always bless your home and your family.
Jordi Alba
What a privilege to have been able to share these 9 seasons together. What beautiful experiences we have enjoyed and how we have overcome difficult moments. I was lucky enough to be able to live your first goal in 2005 against Albacete at the Camp Nou and I never thought that one day we would have that complicity that with just a glance we understood each other. How we have enjoyed on the field with your passes in the race and my back pass, how well it worked for us.
How am I going to miss it!
You are not only the greatest player in the history of football, but you are also an exceptional human being. Friend, thank you from the heart for everything you have given to the club, for your friendship, for your support in the gray days, for the great moments lived that will remain forever in our memory. I wish you and your whole family the best in your new adventure. A big hug, I love you brother❤️
Jordi Alba
Antoine Griezmann
The only thing I can tell you and that every soccer lover will think about it: THANK YOU!
Thank you for everything you have done at Barcelona! For the city, for the club … you have changed everything! I am sure that it is not a goodbye but a see you later and that your path will cross again with FC Barcelona.
I wish you the best, that you and your family are happy wherever you go. Very few know what it is to be Messi and you were an example for me in every way.
Antoine Griezmann
Miralem Pjanic
Leo, it was nice meeting you. You are a special person, I wish you all the best for you with your family in the future.
Miralem Pjanic
A strong hug phenomenon
